Week 36: Black & White

photo credit: Michael Bell

My husband is slowly easing into retirement and he wanted a hobby so he picked up a camera and started messing around just for fun - but when he started showing me his photographs, I was amazed at how he looks at the world. He's good. Really good.

He shot this photo of me when I was sitting in a very boring admissions lecture at MIT with my nephew. (No offense to anyone - I was just way out of my league so I zoned out!) Instead of paying attention, I was doing what I normally do and pulled out my sketchbook to pass the time. Busted! I had no idea he took the shot, but when he showed me this picture, he said, "this is how I see you. Your hands have so much to say." He told me he focused on my hands - the instruments I use to take care of everyone, the instruments I use to create, and to pray and to love and to hold on to what is dear to me. . . . deep sigh.

This is my husband: (photo taken by my son, Christian).

So this week, simple and sweet, I used his photo as my inspiration! He shot it with a monochromatic camera so it really is in black and white.

I matted the photo with a tiny bit of black and used my stabilo aquarellable pencil and a water brush to draw random lines on the background. I doodled some borders using black and white pens, then adhered some sticker letters on the page. I treasure this picture - it's a gift to be able to see yourself through someone else's eyes.

I hope you enjoy the challenge, and as always, I cannot wait to see how you all interpret and create!